Suburbs could get money to make up for salt snafu

SPRINGFIELD - Dozens of Lake and McHenry County communities could share more than $13 million in federal economic stimulus money in a deal being pieced together to reimburse them for excessive road salt costs incurred because of state contracting problems.

Suburban road officials in those two counties learned too late last year that road salt suppliers didn't include them in their bids to state officials. As a result, local officials were left scrambling to find their own supplies.

But by the time they learned the state wouldn't be able to help, it was September and road salt supplies had been largely gobbled up by other governments and commercial interests.

As a result, local road officials got stuck paying as much as $130 or more a ton for road salt they thought they'd get for around $50 via a state contract. Now many say they won't be able to pay for any road repairs this summer, leaving local contractors and employees with no work.

"We have no reserve left because of that," said Tom Gooch, Cuba Township highway commissioner.

Had state officials told local road officials earlier that no one initially bid on the suburban salt contracts, they would have been able to find their own salt supplies before prices skyrocketed, they said.

In an attempt to resolve the problem, state Sen. Pamela Althoff, a McHenry Republican, is asking lawmakers to approve grants to the affected communities. She told the Senate Executive Committee on Thursday the total tab would be around $13 million.

With the state facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, she's looking to use federal stimulus funds to pay for the grants, using the argument that the money will put local road crews to work this summer.

The Senate committee did not vote on the plan Thursday, but Althoff said she hopes to have a final version ready next week.